Jack Aldrich

Jack Aldrich, 84 died May 30, 2014 at home of complications of lung cancer. He was born November 16, 1929 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Owen William and Hermina Dykstra Aldrich.

He was married to Beverly Tarrant on March 8, 1958 at Redondo Beach CA. They met while working for American Airlines in Los Angeles. They later moved to Lakeside, CA. where he worked as an Operations Agent for the San Diego Freight Office of American Airlines. After 34 years of employment, holding several different positions he retired and they moved to Yuma, AZ to enjoy the sunshine. Beverly passed away in Yuma on March 1993. On May 22, 1997 he married his square dance partner Florene Woolstenhulme.

Beverly passed away in March 1993. On May 22, 1997 he married his square dance partner Florene Woolstenhulme.Jacks Father died in 1933 when Jack was four years old. His Mother was left to raise 4 children during the depression. She accomplished this by renting from a farmer and raising their food. His two older brothers and he would help the farmer where ever they could. His elementary schooling was done in a one room school. He received his GED while he was in the Army. He felt he had to graduate from High School so in 1958-59 he attended South Bay Adult School, in Redondo Beach. He received his diploma June 11, 1959.

After WWII started his oldest brother Bill joined the Army. Jack's Mom moved the family to Grand Rapids so she could obtain work away from home. Jack had a difficult time adjusting from country living to city life. His freshman year of high school he joined the Michigan State Troops and the ROTC program and he was active from September 1945 to September 1946. In September of 1946 he enlisted in the Army by lying about his age. He was two months from his 17th birthday. He served in the Army from Sept. 1946-Sept. 1949. He was a member of the 82nd Airborne. Many years later he joined the Yuma branch of Veterans of Underage Military Service. (VUMS) As a member of the VUMS, he would bring information and articles to the meetings for everyone.

Jack held many interests and loved talking to people about them. He was interested in politics. After hearing Barry Goldwater speak in San Diego 1963, he was so impressed that he volunteered for Goldwater's presidential campaign. He also loved history and would discuss it at length. He could remember dates and names so very well. He never forgot a person, place or thing.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Beverly; 2 brothers, Robert and William; 2 sisters, Mary Ida Nelson and Francis Fodor; his Mother and Father.